Jaguar XK120 Jabekke wins Best of Show at Salon Prive

The famous bubble-roofed Jaguar XK120 ‘Jabbeke’ wins Best of Show at the Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance 2015

The XK120 ‘Jabbeke’, named for the Jabbeke Highway in Belgium where it set a 172mph Flying Mile world record in 1953, piloted by legendary Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis OBE, has clocked up another victory as the XK120 Jabekke wins Best of Show at Salon Prive 2015.

The judges were impressed by the XK120 Jabbeke’s flawless restoration, heritage and historical accuracy, which was helped by the expertise of Norman Dewis OBE, who offered invaluable first-hand technical advice during the restoration.

The Salon Privé accolade is the latest in a string of successes since the full restoration by JD Classics in 2013. The car won at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2014 in the Post-War Sports Racing class before scooping Best of Show and a win in the Post-War Coachwork class at Salon Prive 2015.

JD Classics Managing Director Derek Hood said: “This year’s Salon Privé not only had the most spectacular setting yet – in the grounds of Blenheim Palace – but it’s Concours d’Elegance also had some of the finest cars yet. For one of the models restored by our expert craftsmen in Maldon to take home ‘Best of Show’ is a real honour and another excellent addition to the history of this wonderful car.”

For a full list of winners in the 2015 Chubb insurance Concours at Salon Prive – Click here

Jaguar XK120 Jabekke History

Originally enlisted by Jaguar as a Works Competition car, this XK120 competed at the 15th running of the Rallye International des Alpes, before going on to set a Flying Mile world record of 140.789mph in 1953.

It was later that year, having lost the record to a V8-engined Pegaso, that Jaguar streamlined the body and added the unique Perspex bubble above the driver’s head and headed to the Jabekke motorway with Norman Dewis and an ambition to take back the record.

The car then went on to smash the world record, setting an average speed of 172.412mph. A record still held today.

— Carphile

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